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January 9, 2012

Free Visits in January ~ Lady Bird Wildflower Center

During the month of January, visits to the Lady Bird Wildflower Center are free! We may have brutally hot and dry summers but our winter months give us a chance to get out and about in the sunshine and discover the subdued, quiet beauty that is Austin.

It's true you won't be carried away with delight by masses of flowers but it is a good time to get ideas for structural elements to add to your garden. The bones of the garden take center stage this time of year and hardscape elements that are sometimes hard to see for the plants and people are clearly defined. You'll have a clear view of the paths that meander through the gardens and their construction, a myriad of vessels used to hold plants are clearly on display, and you'll see which plants add texture and color during these quiet months.

Personally, the most important observation I made was the way some of the shrubs and understory trees are pruned. While dormant, you can see where strategic cuts have been made to allow the plant to maintain a pleasing, natural shape but at the same time, coaxing it to fit in the desired location. This inspired me to try a couple of shrubs I've been wanting to add knowing that with some gentle persuasion they can flourish in my small garden. Note: I'm not talking about trying to grow a 20 ft tree in a space worthy of a 5 ft shrub...I'm talking gentle persuasion not tree topping!

If you're able, I hope you'll get out and experience the simple beauty the Wildflower Center has to offer this time of year. I definitely wasn't disappointed!

15 comments:

Such a fine distinction between gentle pruning and severe hacking, one that I am still trying to learn with the trees and shrubs in my garden. More art than science, and how great that you have living examples right there, and for free!

Your winters sound divine! Thanks for the great reminder of getting out and appreciating the winter perspective. My gardens bones sure could use some attention ;)Looking forward to a beautiful new gardening year ahead...cheers Julia

You make good observations. Just because there isn't much color in a winter garden doesn't mean there isn't anything to see or learn. So nice to appreciate a garden from a different perspective/season. And you got ideas for your own garden. That's great!